18 Comments
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Gloria Watanabe's avatar

I have long hoped there was some behind the scenes planning. I want to believe this is not just a story, but a blueprint for removing these horrible thugs from the peoples’ house

Mark Braund's avatar

You’ve gotta hope, haven’t you?

Christine Ahh's avatar

Thank you, Mark. I'm sobbing with joy, actual tears running down my cheeks at the possibility of this. Especially the lineup, the unified coalition of former 'enemies' conspiring to save democracy. May it be SO.

Mark Braund's avatar

Thanks Christine. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Here’s hoping!

Christine Ahh's avatar

Can we do more than hope? Could the core of this story be made into a viral video? (I've shared with several confidantes today, including my sister who's a politician in Missouri.)

Mark Braund's avatar

I’d love to get it in front of more people, but I’ve no experience in film or video. But if somebody picks it up …. Thannks again.

Christine Ahh's avatar

I'm a film/video person - but no experience making AI video. I'll ask around

rena's avatar

Well done. I just bought a short wave radio :)

Mark Braund's avatar

Thanks Rena, and for your great support.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Mark, what a story. It draws me in with its sharp pacing and stark realism, a scenario that for much of the world would be a dream come true. You lay out a path that feels plausible—a moment where power doesn’t just shift back through empty rhetoric but through a decisive, strategic reclaiming of democracy. I see the weight of everything that led to this moment: the erosion of rights, the failures of institutions, the tightening grip of corruption. And then, in contrast, you offer a vision of change, a transition that doesn’t merely reset the clock but acknowledges the damage done.

Yet, as I read, I keep thinking about what comes next. I would have loved to see an even deeper expansion of the new political landscape—one that not only breaks the two-party system but truly reshapes representation. A record number of women, people of color, Native, Asian, and Pacific Islander leaders stepping into the spaces long dominated by the white, wealthy, pseudo-Christian majority. as I wrote in my last two essays, nobody truly moves forward by just going against something. They move forward for something. And that, I think, is the next step—defining what this new America will look like, not just what it has left behind. What is your vision for your country beyond this regime? I share my general vision here: https://wildlionessespride.substack.com/p/what-dignity-and-vision-make-possible?r=1sss7q

Mark Braund's avatar

Thanks Jay. Glad you enjoyed it. And of course, I agree with all you say: we need to start thinking far harder about the world we want to live in, then we can start taking steps to move things in that direction. And thanks to the link to your essay.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Mark, I enjoyed it very much and think you have captured a very realistic scenario here. It might be fictional in the sense of people involved, I see for myself at lot more judges there fighting for the constitution than politicians (they all have a guilty conscience anyway and will support that, they are not the driving force in my opinion), as well as members of all forces who are belittled at any turn. Those people do not like to be belittled. Yet otherwise, perfect. Let’s keep fingers crossed for it playing out that way. There are many others not so nice scenarios I can imagine.

Katie Steedly Curling's avatar

Courageous to even imagine a scenario like this right now. A heartbreaking kind of courage that aspires to see political backbone, accountability for those who are harming our nation, and a world not driven by greed and extreme wealth.

Mark Braund's avatar

Thanks Katie, much appreciated. We all have to do what we can. And this is about all I can do right now.

Jennifer Granville's avatar

That was a lovely read after the horrors of the last few weeks. Thank you.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Well-done, Mark. Here's what I did after the January 6th riot that now appears not to appear to matter: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/time-for-the-united-states-to-do

Kim Hardy's avatar

This story gave me chills and made tears of joy run down my cheeks. 🥲

Mark Braund's avatar

Thanks Kim. I felt the same when I was writing it.